The Lemon Index2008 Toyota Avalon.
The 2008 Toyota Avalon is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 141 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 287, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about lights, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 22 mpg combined. The best Toyota Avalon year is 2017.
Lemon alert. 2.9× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2017
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 349 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Avalon year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 33K to 73K miles on the car (305 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- lights complaints mostly came at 45K–78K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 6K–46K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 43K–95K miles
Recalls 6
- seats 2016
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
- seats 2014
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
- equipment 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETW…
Show all 6 recalls
- equipment 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE S…
- speed control 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 …
- speed control 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 267 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the…
- When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Right side high beam bulb (also doubles as driving light) found shattered. Bought new bulb (about $45 online) and installed myself. No reason found for shattered bulb.
2008 Toyota Avalon owner · NHTSA complaint 10371348
More owner reports
2008 Toyota Avalon. Consumer states unintended acceleration and brake failure after kit was installed.
NHTSA complaint 10319822
Toyota's handling of recall. I own one of the recalled vehicles but have received no communication from either Toyota or the dealer on the recalls.
NHTSA complaint 10312173
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Toyota Avalon reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.9× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 287; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Avalon year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2008 Toyota Avalon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (50%), speed control (25%) and electrical (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Avalon have?
6 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Toyota Avalon get?
22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Toyota Avalon problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 33,400 and 73,200 miles. The middle report was at 52,000 miles, from 305 complaints.
Does the 2008 Toyota Avalon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 7% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Toyota Avalon cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Toyota Avalon have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Toyota Avalon year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2016 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works